If you’re eager to master the art of creating impactful and visually appealing websites, you’re in the right place.
This page holds the key to understanding the essential principles of good web design.
These principles will empower you to craft websites that captivate your audience and deliver an outstanding online experience.
Ready to begin the journey of mastering web design? Your path to web design excellence starts here!
What is Web Design?
Web design is the process of creating the way a website looks and feels. It involves choosing colors, layouts, and graphics to make a website visually appealing and easy to use.
Web designers use tools like HTML, CSS, and graphic design software to build the structure and style of web pages.
Good web design makes websites user-friendly and visually attractive, helping visitors find information and navigate the site easily.
It’s like the design of a house, where the layout, colors, and decorations all work together to create a welcoming and functional space on the internet.
Why Web Design Matters So Much
Just like how a store’s layout can influence what customers do, a website’s design can do the same.
A survey asked 612 people about websites. Here’s what they found:
- 83% of them pay attention when a website looks nice and modern.
- 50% of them would leave a website forever if they think the content is not useful or doesn’t match what they want.
So, if your website looks good and provides what people need, they’ll like it. But if it doesn’t, they might leave and never come back.
That’s why how your website appears and what it offers are both really important.
The Significance of Web Design in SaaS
In the world of Software as a Service (SaaS), where software lives on the internet, the way a website looks and works is super important.
Why? Because the website is often the first thing you see about a SaaS tool. Let’s learn more about the role of web design in SaaS.
- First Impressions: When people visit a SaaS website, it’s like a first date. A well-designed website makes a great first impression. It helps users trust the software and makes it easy for them to find what they need.
- Consistency: Just like how a company logo looks the same everywhere, the web design should match the SaaS tool’s brand. This helps build brand identity and recognition.
- Mobile-Friendly: Most people use SaaS tools on their phones. So, the website must work well on smaller screens.
- Data Presentation: SaaS often deals with data, and a good design helps show that data in a clear and visually pleasing way.
- Performance: Slow websites are frustrating. A well-designed site is optimized for speed, making users happy.
- Trust and Security: A good design also helps users trust the SaaS tool. It should look professional and safe so users feel comfortable using it.
Web design in SaaS is about making the SaaS tool look good and work well. It’s the face of the software, and a great design can attract and keep happy customers.
Do you need any help with SaaS development to build your own SaaS app? Our comprehensive guide is surely your key to success!
11 Principles of Good Web Design
A website should do its job by telling its message and keeping visitors interested. To make this happen, you need to think about things like how it looks, the colors, fonts, pictures, how simple it is, and how it works.
When you’re making a website, there are some important things to remember. A well-designed website can make people trust you and do what you want them to do.
To create a great experience for visitors, you need to think about how your website looks (the way it appears), how easy it is to use, and how well it works.
Here are the 11 principles of good web design that can help you when you’re working on your next website project.
1. Make Your Website Easy to Get Around
In a study, 94% of people said the most important thing on a website is how easy it is to find stuff.
Think about it – if you’re searching for something online, like “mobile design,” and you can’t find it on a website, you’d probably leave and try another site, right?
In the image below, you can see how bad web designs make people leave the website or compel them never to visit the site again.
So, to make sure your website is easy to use. To make your website work well:
- Organize your content into clear categories and give them good names.
- Arrange your pages in a way that makes sense so that people can find similar things easily.
- Keep the top and bottom of your website looking the same.
By doing these things, you’ll help people find what they’re looking for on your website without any trouble.
2. Design Your Website for Your Audience
When you check out websites like The Cool Kids, or Swab The World, you’ll notice they all have a unique “feel.” That’s because they design their websites with their specific audience in mind.
The goal is to make your website feel like it’s made just for each person who visits. Most of us like to buy from companies that share our beliefs and values.
In fact, research shows that 72% of people prefer to buy from such companies.
Here’s how to make your website match your audience:
- Use images that your target group can relate to.
- Pick a writing style (tone) that your audience likes, like professional, simple, or friendly.
- Focus on the topics that matter to your visitors.
- Show what your brand is all about through your website’s design.
- Use buttons and links that your audience responds to and put them where people click the most.
It’s even better if you can use automatic features on your website to give each user a personalized experience based on what they like and what they’ve done on your site before.
You can get ideas from other websites that are popular with the people you want to reach. This way, your website will connect with your audience and make them more likely to buy from you.
3. Use Fonts That Are Easy to Read
The fonts (the way the letters look) on your website are a big deal. They can decide if people can actually read what you’ve written. So, choosing the right fonts is super important.
Here are some things to think about when picking fonts:
- Web Safety: Make sure your fonts work on most devices, like phones and computers. Some fonts are safe and work everywhere.
- Accessibility: Your fonts should be easy to read, whether they’re big or small. Fancy cursive fonts can be hard to read. Fonts like Times New Roman are easier.
- Follow Trends: Check out what fonts other popular websites are using. In 2021, most websites used fonts without those little lines on letters (serifs). The top five fonts were Sans Serif, Arial, Helvetica, Helvetica Neue, and Roboto.
- Sizes Matter: For regular text, most websites used fonts that were 14 or 16 pixels in size.
- Be Unique: You can follow these trends, or you can choose a font style that’s different, like the Virgin brand. They use five different fonts to make their page look interesting.
Remember, the fonts you choose can affect how people feel about your website, so pick ones that match your style and are easy to read.
4. Embrace the Blank Space on Your Website
Don’t underestimate the importance of having empty space on your website. It’s not just there to make it look clean; it actually helps visitors understand what they see on the screen.
When someone new looks at a web page, they want to see and understand what’s there quickly. If a page is too cluttered and complex, it’s hard to read and figure out.
Here’s why you should use white space:
- It reduces the mental effort visitors need to understand your page.
- It helps organize the information on your site into clear sections.
- When you separate different parts of your design, it makes it easier for people to read and look at.
For example, look at Hermes France’s website. They use white space as a major part of their design. It makes their content easy to read and gives it the attention it deserves.
So, remember that white space is your friend in web design. It helps people understand and enjoy your website without feeling overwhelmed.
5. Design for Both Computers and Phones
If you remember just one thing about website design, let it be this: lots of people use smartphones to check websites. So, when you design your website, think about both computers and phones.
This means:
- Make sure the titles and text look good on both big screens and tiny phone screens.
- Check that all pictures and other things on your site fit on the phone screen and that nothing gets cut off.
- Buttons should be easy to click, even on small phone screens.
- Your website should load quickly on both computers and phones.
Remember, following these design ideas doesn’t mean you have to stick to strict rules. It helps you start with a good plan so you can be creative in the right places.
Also, don’t forget to check how your website looks on a phone before you show it to the world.
6. Make Your Page Look Exciting
Think about famous brands like “Cadbury,” “Hershey’s,” or “Nike.” When you see their logos and designs, you know it’s them. That’s because they keep things looking the same.
When you create your website, make sure it looks the same everywhere to build a strong brand. Here’s how:
- Use the same fonts, styles, and colors for headings.
- Keep the spaces between pictures and words the same on all pages.
- Stick to a set of colors instead of using random ones.
- Decide how different kinds of pages, like news or blogs, should look.
- Use a template for all your pages.
But remember, every page doesn’t have to be exactly the same. You can change fonts and colors for different headings or make some pages look a bit different to keep things interesting.
7. Break Text into Small Pieces for Easier Reading
Imagine you search for something like “mind games” and find a webpage that looks good. But when you open it, you see big blocks of text that are hard to read.
Like many people, you might leave the site, even if the content seems interesting.
Research from the Missouri University of Science and Technology found that people spend only about 5.59 seconds reading text on a website. If your text is too long, they won’t stay interested.
To make your text better:
- Divide it into small parts.
- Use short sentences that are easy to understand.
- Don’t use fancy or complicated words without explaining them.
- Avoid using too many fancy words, metaphors, or extra describing words.
By doing this, your text will be easier to read, and people will be more likely to stick around and read what you have to say. The following image represents how texts should ideally look on a website.
8. Make Your Website Search Engine Friendly
Being seen online is super important for a website. It helps the right people find your site easily. Web designers should think about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) when they create their websites to boost visibility.
Even though web designers and SEO experts work differently, here are things designers can do to make their websites good for SEO:
- Space Out the Text: Put text in the right places so it works well with other things on the page.
- Leave Room for SEO: Make sure there’s space for content creators to add SEO-friendly headlines, image captions, and subheadings on all pages.
- Use SEO-Friendly Web Addresses: Make sure your website’s addresses (URLs) are designed in a way that helps your website rank better.
- Clear Buttons to Navigate: Put clear and easy-to-use buttons on every page to make it easy for people to move around your website.
By doing these things, your website becomes more friendly to search engines like Google, which can help more people find it when they’re looking for something related to your website.
9. Use the ‘F’ Pattern to Grab Attention
People often read web content in a specific way, like forming the letter ‘F.’ Here’s what that means:
- First, they look at the top of the page for important headlines.
- Then, they move down the left side to check out numbers, lists, or side information.
- Finally, they scan across the page to see bold text or subheadings.
To design your website well, follow this ‘F’ pattern. It matches how people naturally read, so they stay engaged. This is super important on pages where you want people to take action, like signing up or buying something.
For example, check out BigCommerce‘s homepage. They use the ‘F’ pattern to guide your eyes from the top header to a diagram showing how their product works and then down to more info with a clear call to action.
In simple terms, make sure your important stuff is where people usually look to keep them interested and get them to take action on your site.
10. Choose Your Pictures Carefully
People say a picture can tell a whole story, and this is true in website design. Images can do a lot, like showing a story, explaining how something works, making you feel a certain way, or setting the mood.
But not all pictures are the same, so you need to pick the right ones for your website.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Quality: The pictures should look professional and be very clear.
- Fit Your Style: The images should match the way your website looks and feel like they belong there.
- Have a Purpose: Each picture should have a job or a reason for being on your website.
For example, look at the Subaru website. They use pictures of beautiful landscapes to make you feel like you’re on an adventure with their cars. They’re not just showing a car; they’re showing a lifestyle.
This is more effective than just a plain car picture because it helps you imagine using their car for exciting trips.
So, when you choose pictures for your website, make sure they are good quality, fit your style, and have a clear reason for being there. It makes your website more appealing and tells a story.
11. Use Words in CTAs That Make People Want to Click
We talked about making buttons big and easy to click, but there’s more to it than just size.
Buttons should have words that tell you what they do and make you curious to click. Here’s how:
- Use clear and detailed button text, like “click here to read our blog” or “find our marketing secrets here.”
- Make your buttons look interesting or different.
So, when you create buttons on your website, use words that make people want to click and make the buttons look appealing. It helps visitors know what to expect and encourages them to explore your site.
5 Important Things I Follow to Design a Great Website
When I am making a website, there are five important things I always keep in mind. These are like the building blocks that help your website work well and look good.
Even you can follow these to mesmerize your clients if you are a web designer.
Let’s talk about them in simple terms.
- Content: Make sure your website has great stuff like videos, news, and cool pictures to keep visitors interested.
- Usability: Your website should be easy to use and work well on phones. People should find what they need without getting confused.
- Aesthetics: Your website should look nice and match your business’s style. This helps people trust you.
- Interaction: Your website should talk to your visitors, show them what’s important, and get them to contact you. It’s not just for looks; it’s to help your business.
- Visibility: Even if your site is awesome, it won’t help if no one can find it. Use things like SEO and social media to make sure people see your website.
Remember, when you’re creating a website, these five things are like the secret recipe for success. If you get them right, your website will be a hit!
Why Should You Choose Core Devs for Your Web Design Needs?
Are you looking for a web design partner who understands the digital landscape and can transform your online presence? Your quest ends here with Core Devs.
Let’s help you identify what sets us apart and why we should be your top choice for all things web design.
Expertise You Can Trust
Picture this: Your website is in the hands of experienced web design professionals who have weathered the ever-changing digital tides. How does that sound?
At Core Devs, we bring a wealth of experience, having crafted websites for a diverse clientele.
Our seasoned team knows the ins and outs of web design, ensuring your project is in capable hands.
Crafted Just for You
Every client is unique, so why should your website be any different?
At Core Devs, we understand the need for tailored solutions. We don’t offer one-size-fits-all templates.
Instead, we take the time to understand your specific requirements and create a web design that’s uniquely yours.
Where Art Meets Functionality
Ever admired a website’s visual appeal while marveling at its ease of use?
That’s the sweet spot where art meets functionality, and it’s our forte.
Our creative wizards combine aesthetics with a user-centric approach, creating websites that not only look amazing but also offer a seamless user experience.
All About Your Audience
The success of your website hinges on the happiness of your visitors.
We adopt a user-centric approach, ensuring that your website is easy to navigate and provides value to your audience.
Satisfied visitors are more likely to become loyal customers.
Beauty Across All Screens
In a world dominated by smartphones and tablets, having a responsive design is no longer an option but a necessity.
We specialize in creating web designs that adapt flawlessly to all devices.
Your website will look great and perform seamlessly on every screen.
Beyond Aesthetics
A stunning website means nothing if it’s lost in the vast digital sea.
That’s where our SEO integration comes into play.
We optimize your website for search engines, ensuring it ranks high and attracts organic traffic.
Support Beyond Launch
Our commitment doesn’t end when your website goes live.
We offer post-launch support to keep your website updated, secure, and performing at its best.
We’re your long-term partner in web design, always there to assist.
Choosing Core Devs means choosing a web design partner that understands the complexities of the digital world and is dedicated to your success.
Ready to transform your website? Discover how the best web design company can help you achieve digital excellence!
Wrapping Up
Incorporating the Principles Of Good Web Design is your key to digital excellence. Embrace these insights and elevate your online presence.
Make your website a magnet for success by focusing on user-centricity, aesthetics, and responsiveness.
Stay ahead in the digital landscape, and watch your online journey flourish.
